Van Gisbergen clean sweeps Supercars opener

Shane van Gisbergen made a perfect start to the 2018 Supercars season with back-to-back victories in the Adelaide 500.

Van Gisbergen claimed victory in the Saturday 250km race after starting from pole and then repeated the dose on Sunday – again after having claimed pole position in qualifying.

Van Gisbergen had to come from behind for the win, having lost the lead to David Reynolds after Reynolds’ last pitstop. But van Gisbergen caught the Penrite Erebus Commodore driver unawares at the hairpin and slipped ahead to regain a lead he would not lose for the rest of the race.

“It was just awesome, great race,” van Gisbergen said. “We went the wrong way with our setup so had to battle it out. Davie (Reynolds) was really quick and I expected him to battle me back.

“It’s a great way to start the year but now we have to carry the momentum. I can’t wait for the next round and the first fight for Championship points at the Grand Prix in a couple of weeks.”

Pic: James Smith

Van Gisbergen profited from the dramas endured by team-mate Jamie Whincup, who looked on course for victory on Sunday until transmission failure put him out.

Having finished sixth on Saturday, defending champion Whincup left Adelaide a lowly 15th in the points.

Whincup’s 2071 championship sparring partner Scott McLaughlin had a mixed weekend, finishing a solid third on Sunday but dropping to 10th on Sunday after his Shell V-Power Racing Falcon suffered a flat tyre just when he looked set to challenge the Red Bull duo.

“It was going to be an awesome battle,” McLaughlin said. “It’s one of those things but we are still stoked. One day I am going to get the Adelaide thing right.”

Next round of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship is at the Australian Grand Prix weekend at Albert Park in Melbourne on March 22-25.